Ah…I time to pause, refresh and take stock on this Shabbat Shuvah, the “Sabbath of Return,” the traditional name given to the Shabbat between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur.
Tomorrow morning’s Torah portion, VaYelech, is a relatively short one, spanning only 30 verses from the 31st chapter of Deuteronomy. Moses, after delivering his farewell addresses to the people, prepares the Israelites for a future without him. Though God had treated them with justice and kindness, they had betrayed God. Nevertheless, the people would still be brought into a land “z’vat chalav u’d’vash,” flowing with milk and honey, a land that God had promised on oath to their ancestors.” (Dt. 31:20)
What a beautiful characterization of the Land of Israel: abounding in milk-producing herds, flocks and fruit trees, especially the date palm! The Hebrew word for “honey,” d’vash, usually refers to the nectar of trees. For those of us who have had the pleasure and privilege of visiting Israel, we know from firsthand experience that that ancient, biblical description is still alive to this day! If you agree with this albeit, very brief assessment, then we want to hear from you! I trust that you’re aware of the fact that our congregational-wide theme for 5783 is Israel@75. Our year-long pageant of the Promised Land effectively begins this coming Wednesday, October 5th immediately after the conclusion of the Yom Kippur morning service…
Shari Sabath, our Israel Program Coordinator, will facilitate (and participate in) a panel discussion through the personal lenses of those fellow Beth Amniks who have visited Israel. Whether you’ve been only once or ten times or more; whether you went on a Beth Am congregational tour or one through Federation or under the auspices of another Jewish organization; whether you went on a brief Birthright tour or spent an entire semester; whether you participated on a Volunteers for Israel army base, Maccabiah or went on a business trip….WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!
Please consider participating in next week’s panel. You can speak from prepared notes or from the heart! Who and or what made the greatest impression upon you? What was your favorite destination and why? In what way was your Jewish life transformed? Or not.
Please accept this as a last minute but sincere invitation to lend your voice to Wednesday’s conversation! If you wish to participate and/or have any questions, please email Shari ASAP at ssabath@oyrtbetham.org.
Shabbat Shalom and G’mar Chatimah Tovah! Robert
Old York Road Temple-Beth Am 971 Old York Road Abington, PA 19001
